Animal trap



Dec. 3, 1929. J. A. ROLLINS ANIMAL TRAP Filed Aug. 31, 1928 lNVENTOR Julie's JZJZo lZzIzJ ATTORNEY WITNESSES My 7 I"! Patented Dec. 3, 1929 UNITED STATES JAMES A. ROLLINS,

or DENISON, IOWA ANIMAL TRAP Application filed August 31, 1928. Serial No. 303,343

This invention relates to animal traps, and has particular reference to an improvement upon traps of the spring jaw trigger release type.

The invention primarily contemplates a trigger released spring jaw trap which is provided with independent trigger releasable means for holding the aws in opened set relation whereby to render the same more positive and effectual in use.

The invention further aims to provide an improved animal. trap which includes a base and a pair of jaws fulcrumed thereto having means for normally moving the jaws to a closed trapping relation, together with separate means for holding each jaw in its opened set condition and a trigger for each jaw to afford means for independently releasing each of said jaws whereby the trap may be sprung from either side.

Other objects of the invention reside in the comparative simplicity of construction and modeof operation of the trap, the economy with which the same may be produced, the

ease with which the same may be set and the general efiiciency derived therefrom.

With the above recited and other objects in view, reference is had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in

which there is exhibited one example or embodiment of the invention, while the claims define the actual scope of the same.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the trap in opened set condition.

Figure 2 is a sectional view therethrough taken approximately on the line indicated at 2-2 in Figure 1, and illustrating in dotted lines. the sprung condition of the trap.

4 Figure 3 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, illustrating the trigger moved to a position for releasing the trap jaw.

Figure 4 is a detail fragmentary sectional view taken approximately 011 the line t4:

of Figure 1, illustrating the spring for actuating the trap jaw yokes.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, the trap includes a substantially 5O cruciform base 5 having diametrically die posed upturned terminals 6 on the transverse virtue of coiled. springs 10, the end convo-...;

l'utions 11 and 12 of which extendtangem tially from the coil and engage with the bight of the opposite yokes 9. Two of said springs are preferably employed and the same are spaced transverselyapart withthe coiled. portions surrounding the transverse shaft or cross rod 8. The trap jaws may be made in any desired manner, but as i illustrated, each jaw comprises a plate 13 having a serrated marginal flange 14 which is attached to a U-shaped frame 15 by means of tongues 16 coiled about the frame. Portions of the frame arms 17 extend beyond the inner unflanged edge of the plate 13 and are provided with eyes 19 which surround the transverse shaft or cross rod 8. This, obviously, fulcrums the jaws to the base. The bightf portions of the yokes 9 underlie the arms 17, and due to the spring tension exerted on the yoh'es, it is obvious that the trap jaws are normally. caused to be moved toward each other to a closed trapping relation.

The trigger releasable means for holding the jaws in open relation comprises a pair of detent arms 20, one serving for each of the jaws. The detent arms 20 are respectively fulcrumed at 21 to hearing cars 22 on the longitudinal arms 23 of the base. Latches 2.5 are fulcrurned on the transverse shaft or cross rod. 8, and said latches are provided with hooked terminals 26 which are designed to engage the free terminal of the detent arms 20 after said detent armszare engagedover the yokes for the swinging of same to'an open position. The free end of each latch 25 has fulcrumed thereto at 27 atrigger 28, and thetri'gger adjacent its fulcrumed endv is provided with a shoulder 29 which is designed to coact with the latch 25 in the naureef ru -we e moving the at h is a vised:- whmh; includes separate means for holding each one .of a pair of jaws 111 an open set ;cnditio'n-wh11e an independent trl er either side.

released osition when the trigger is depressed wiereby to spring the trap. It will be observed that the triggers project in opposite directions when the trap is set so that the trap may be sprung by the animal from If the right-hand trigger as vlewed in Figures 1 and 2- is operated, the

left-hand jaw will be released and will swing over to a closed trapping relation with respect to the right-hand aw while said righthand jaw remains in a stationary position. On the other hand, if the left-hand trigger is sprung, the right-hand jaw moves over onto the left-hand jaw. In. order to properly space'the springs -and the latches 25, a spacing sleeve 30. surrounding the transverse s aft or cross rodB is interposedbetween the latches 25.

F room-the foregoing, it will thus be seen thatran improvedanimal traphas been deforindependent-lyreleasingeach of said jaw holding means has been devised, the triggers being, disposed :i n'opposite directions to insure, 'a proper springing of the trap irrespec tive of the direction from which the animal approachesthe same.

What-is claimed :is 1. A trap comprising a pivoted jaw, a

- yoke having-a spring to press it against a part of the jaw, a pivoted detent arm, a pivoted latch having a hooked terminal receiving the end of said arm and held there'against the tension of said spring, and a trigger fulcrumed on the latch havinga shoulder bearing against'the latch and constituting a rulejoint.

2. A trap. comprising a shaft; a jaw pivotedthereon, a yoke pivoted on the shaft and having a spring to press it against a part of the jaw, a pivoted detent arm, a latch pivoted on the shaft and having a hooked terminal receiving the-end of the arm, and a trigger fulcrum'ed on the latch having a shoulder bearing on the latch toform a rule-joint and being depressible to release said: terminal vfrom the arm to permit closing of the jaw.

.3lzA'trap comprising-a base with'a shaft,

a pair of jaws pivoted on the} sha'ft,-a pair of yokes ipivotedtontheshaft and having springs for pressing .the respective .yokes eagainst parts of the;jaws,.detelit arms pivotedzon 'thc base and crossing the 'yokes and-shaft when Ftheatrapis open,'a pairof latches pivotedon theshaft and having hooked terminals oppositely directed to receive the .ends of said arms for holding. the trap open, and'a" trigger ,ful'crumed ionzeach latch having. a shoulder lbearing on the respective latchto compose-a rule-j o1nt and :support. the trigger :in a set position... 1 l

.JAMES iA. ROLLINS. 

